Work resumes

April 26-30, 2007

Wet weather hindered the time line and as soon as it stopped raining back to work.

The flattened area was filled with wooden frames, rebar and chalk lines.

On the 30th it took 2 loads of cement to fill in the frames.

A beautiful day for work.

Supervisors adding words of advice!

We expect to see a scissor type lift arrive to begin a wall possibly this week!

Bottomed out

Once again the jack hammers and 2 pieces of equipment to dig down to the lowest point. Foundations expected to be poured later this week.

Our site supervisor, Tom, is optimistic that things will move forward quickly. Space is tight, "but we'll manage". The cable line might have to be moved to facilitate the iron beams lifted in by crane.

Piles of sand and dirt are growing and parking spots in the front are limited.

We are managing to provide the majority of our services. A storytime just ended and of course the little ones are fascinated by the backhoe and bobcat.

No buried treasures discovered, any that might have been there were certainly found back in the 60's when the foundations dug for the "reading room". The back porch of the house led into a large backyard filled with fruit trees and buried tanks of natural gas. The gas was used as fuel for the light fixtures. All the decorative wall lights were both gas and electric. They certainly were prepared for any "black outs" and the gas lights were a nice way to provide ambiance.

This photo of the Hazel Adair font--front parlor--shows the original side lights on one of 11 distinctive fireplaces.

The pounding stops for now.

Beams removed today, water line cut and capped, more cement removed. We get a day of rest on Friday before footings go in on Monday. Always weather permitting.

Someone asked about large machines--the largest we expect is a crane to move the new iron beams.

The turkey comment about being lost--people tell me it was a female turkey as the wattle was not as big as a male would have, and the bird was full grown based on feather coloration. This was the first wild turkey I've seen up close as well as the first one I've seen in Wyandotte!

The Ford-Bacon house was designed by Malcolmson and Higginbotham from Detroit. The building was 62' x 95' and had several amenities such as electric and gas lighting, a bathroom between each two "sleeping" chambers, a steam laundry in the basement complete with an early heated clothes dryer with racks large enough to spread out sheets and tablecloths, and a build in ice box lined with white ceramic tiles. The ice box also featured an ice reservoir that could be accessed from the outside so the iceman didn't have to enter the house. One stunning feature is the stained glass window on the landing between the 1st and 2nd floor.

This photo hardly does it credit, but once the elevator project is complete, everyone will be able to access the house and see it in person!

Wild turkey sighting

More jack hammers, cement saws and pounding to break up the slab that formed the foor of the hall.Back hoe in to dig out roots and carefully locate the water line that wasn't marked out by Miss Dig etc. A line was found about 5-1/2feet down and will "not" interfere with excavation area. The outside spigot will be cut and capped. We were closed when the dust streamed in and the noise was too loud to talk.

Re-opened about 4PM

Interesting event across the street--

a wild turkey walking down the sidewalk towards the museum. When animal control and a police officer attempted to catch it in a net, the turkey took wing and crossed over to Nixon's parking lot. There the turkey and the officer played chicken until the net re-appeared and once again it

flew off headed north.

Now and again I'll put in some pictures of the Ford-Bacon House and library life from the past.

This photo shows former

Library Director(1956-1962), Harold Martelle, checking out the first book on the microfilm charging system to Dr Frank Kilts, then President of the school board.

A photo of the Carnegie Library in use from 1915 to 1940, the cornerstone of this builing is at the Vinewood entrance of Bacon Library.

Look what I found!

Jack hammers, pile driver and shaking buildings today as the remainder of the ramp is removed.

Bet this guy was surprised when he turned around

The others managed to escape when the going was good, guess they couldn't stand the sound.

Definitely a day for pardon our dust, by 1PM you could see dust seeping through the interior temporary wall. So major work was halted.

Supervisor and demo crew couldn't believe the thickness of the concrete and wire mesh and the depth of the footings


We were all surprised to see what was underneath the ramp--no, not Jimmy Hoffa, just open space and stout 4x4's as cross support. Remnants of the straw put down in 1961 for original work.

As they pulled away more and more, a cat came running out when the ramp floor was lifted up by the bobcat. Must have sneaked in over the past few nights for a warm, dry spot.

If only the rest of the construction period can have the bright blue sky and a few puffy clouds, as today.

Don't try this at home.

As the wall comes down it has been something of a balancing act for the workers.

There is a lot of careful hand work with crowbars, picks and jack hammers. Loosen the brick and cement block, pry out, heave it down.

Next peel back the wire mesh and plaster wall.

Then we get to an outdoor hose spigot--STOP, where's the shutoff?

Get out the heavy duty jackhammers to attack the ramp base.What will it look like when it's all over later this summer? The brown area is the new elevator shaft and landing areas tied neatly onto the existing buildings without breaking into the roofs.

Inside we get a new set of stairs leading up to the first floor elevator landing area, windows on each new floor landing and welcome relief from carrying chairs, furniture, books etc up and down from the the 2nd and 3rd floors.

The First and Second floors will become public areas and offices.

Escaping dinosaurs

April 12, 2007

As the wall slowly comes down watch out for escaping dinosaurs held captive since 1988.

The mural was created by a dedicated group of teens during the summer reading program.

One more bite and leap of a few feet and off he goes.

Our volcano has been huffing and puffing and once it erupts we'll have a level hall.

Thanks to the teens for providing us with years of entertainment and wonder!

Awaiting demolition crew to tear down a cement block and brick wall connecting the 1897 Bacon house to the 1962 addition. This area use to be the back porch and back yard of the stately Queen Anne house built on 4 lots once owned by Major John Biddle.
Of course the weather has turned nasty with the wind picking up and more than a hint of snow or freezing rain.
The elevator will be a 3 story structure and will open the house for use by all. Our previous stairs and ramp just didn't fall under ADA guidelines.

Yesterday the roof deck was removed from the "hall" and an interior temporary wall constructed.
A blue tarp was nailed down in case of overnight precipitation and we felt as if we were underwater with an eeerie blue glow from the natural light.

Tag along with us as the elevator structure grows.